August 12th, 2007, the Hollywood Bowl created a buzz in the music industry with the staging of a reunion of Titanic proportion at the venerable Hollywood Bowl KCRW World Festival. This reunion was that of the four original members of The Wailing Souls – Winston “Pipe” Matthews, Lloyd “Bread” McDonald, Rudolph "Garth" Dennis and George “Buddy” Haye. The announcement of this historic musical reunion sent shockwaves around the world. Shortly after that special performance, the Wailing Souls headlined the Monterey Bay Reggae Festival in northern CA. These two major shows brought together the first performances of the Wailing Souls as a quartet in many years.

The legendary Wailing Souls have been around from reggae’s inception in the late 60’s. They grew up and sang in the same Trench Town yards in Kingston, Jamaica as Bob Marley and Joe Higgs. This veteran three times Grammy nominated roots reggae group’s longevity has seen them adapt and incorporate various current musical trends over the years, without compromising their roots orientation and conscious message.

"Things and time will tell" – chant the Wailing Souls. "Jah Jah give us life to live, so let us live." and "Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall – Babylon’s back is against the wall"- are some of their proverbial hooks. Adding to their 26 classic albums, there is now a new collection of early hit singles produced when the Wailing Souls were still a quartet. Released on Greensleeves Records, this new release is titled, Wailing Souls Most Wanted – Classic Cuts 1978-1984. This new CD is available in most good record stores. The Wailing Souls are now rising; ready to continue bringing their powerful music and message to the world. The group is managed by the industry veteran Mike Cacia – Zoe Productions, and is supported by the formidable publicist Russel Gerlach – Foundation Media. For bookings contact Peter Wardle – Kings Music International. For further information on The Wailing Souls go to www.WailingSoulsMusic.com or www.MySpace.com/WailingSoulsMusic

BIOGRAPHY: WAILING SOULS

The Wailing Souls have been producing great music since the 60’s. Originally the Renegades, Lloyd “Bread” McDonald and Winston “Pipe” Matthews recorded backing vocals for Ernest Ranglin. Shortly after this they began making big tunes for Sir Coxsone Dodd of Studio One. Some of these recordings are regarded as some of their their best work. A big break in the early 80’s brought “Pipe and the Pipers” to Tuff Gong, Bob Marley’s label. Solidifying their own style, raw vocals and fat harmonies, combined with a gifted ability to put words to music, The Wailing Souls were able to make music that touched the masses.

Over the years, The Wailing Souls teamed with a few different artists, George Buddy Haye an original Renegade, Osawald Downer and Norman Davis of the “Pipers,” Garth Dennis of Black Uhuru and Joe Higgs, but the heart and soul of McDonald and Matthews never wavered and continually pushed forward the righteous path of the Wailing Souls.

The late 70’s brought the Wailing Souls to Channel One, where they re-recorded one of their biggest hits “Things and Times“. A short while later they formed their own label – Massive. The 80’s brought Bread and Pipe to the Taxi label, recording two hit albums for Sly & Robbie. Immediately they dropped “Fire House Rock” for producer Henry “Junjo” Lawes, which turned out to be one of their most popular records. Greensleeves joined the party, releasing multiple albums for the Wailing Souls during this same period. In the 90’s, Bread and Pipe signed with Sony and garnered international acclaim with 1992’s “All Over the World” and 1994’s “Live On.” The Wailing Souls now stand tall as one of the greatest reggae acts in the world.

Contact: Peter Wardle
King’s Music International
Phone: (510) 326-8445 or online at reggaeangl@aol.com
http://www.kingsmusicinternational.com